Now speaking of Gu Baiying, he stormed into Miaokong Hall with great momentum. Xuan Lingzi had gone to play chess with Yueguang Daoren, so there was no one in Miaokong Hall. When he reached the back courtyard and had just stepped through the gate, he saw Zanxing, who was about to leave.

Seeing Gu Baiying, Zanxing said “Martial Uncle” and was about to pass by him.

Gu Baiying shouted sternly: “Stop.”

Zanxing turned to look at him.

The young man spoke viciously: “Have you forgotten something?”

“What?” Zanxing looked at him in confusion.

Gu Baiying was immediately speechless.

He originally had many things to say. He originally wanted to righteously vent his anger and at least scold her a few times. But when it came down to it, he could only manage: “Didn’t you say you wanted to go to Chuhong Terrace to learn illusion techniques?”

Hearing this, Zanxing showed a look of sudden realization and slapped her forehead: “Oh my, I’ve been really busy lately and completely forgot about that. It’s fine, Martial Uncle. Illusion techniques can be learned anytime. I still have things to do, so I’ll go first. When I have free time in a few days, I’ll come ask for your guidance again.” After saying this, without looking at Gu Baiying’s expression, she hurried away.

The persimmon tree in Miaokong Hall was lush with branches and leaves. A yellow oriole perched on the treetop, chirping incessantly.

The young man stood in place. The pearl-colored satin robe with its bright red ruyi patterns was dazzling, yet it made him appear pitifully lonely.

Lao Niu walked over and consoled: “The young miss has been quite busy lately. She seems to be discussing something with Young Master Mu, going out early and returning late. She didn’t intentionally forget her appointment with you. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“Young Master Mu?” Gu Baiying looked at him incredulously.

“That would be Mu Cengxiao from next door.”

Hong Su tugged at Lao Niu and gave Gu Baiying an apologetic smile: “No, Young Immortal Gu, you misheard.”

Gu Baiying stood in place. After a moment, he let out a self-mocking laugh: “So the one who wants to enjoy the blessing of multiple wives is someone else entirely.” With that, his expression turned cold as he turned and left.

Only after they could no longer see that Junior Martial Uncle’s figure in Miaokong Hall did Hong Su push Lao Niu and complain: “Uncle Niu, why did you have to mention Young Master Mu for no reason? Look, you’ve made Young Master Gu angry.”

“Wasn’t I telling the truth?” Lao Niu was bewildered.

“What truth?” Hong Su picked up Mimi and shook her head: “No wonder you’re still a bachelor at your age – you can’t even understand this.”

…

Pingyang Town was always especially lively at night.

Because the Taiyan Sect was on Gufeng Mountain, even the town at the mountain’s foot was more prosperous than ordinary markets. At night, with thousands of lights burning bright, the sky was illuminated as bright as day. With people drinking, feasting, listening to songs and performances, Pingyang Town was adorned like a scene of a bright moon and blooming flowers.

In Huajin Tower, the atmosphere was heated. Once night fell, after cultivators had exchanged for the spirit stones and pills they needed, they often rested here. The proprietress Jin Feicui had excellent judgment – when she bought the land, she specifically chose a spot beside Lixiu River. On spring nights like this, with moonlight flowing across the river surface, spring breeze entering the willows, and music never ceasing, paired with a jar of strong wine, it was truly intoxicating.

Jin Feicui stood at the counter, gently waving her round fan while working her abacus. The fan was made of gold thread, thin as cicada wings, embroidered with a pattern of jade hall prosperity. The abacus was golden, and when the beads moved, the sound was crisp and pleasant to the ear.

The beauty was full of charm, yet her movements with the abacus were both skillful and practiced. The world was harsh – whenever women showed love for money, it was inevitably associated with being “gold-digging” or “money-grubbing.” Ordinary women were usually ashamed of commerce and refused to openly discuss money, but Jin Feicui was different. She practically had “money is everything” written on her face.

Because she was so frank about it, men didn’t dare say anything about her.

Today was the same. After she finished tallying yesterday’s earnings, a young assistant walked to her side and whispered something in her ear. Jin Feicui paused, then waved her hand, closed the account book, and said: “I’ll go take a look.”

On the second floor by the window, pearl curtains blocked out the cheerful songs and laughter from the hall below. Amid all the liveliness, a young man had half his body sunk into a soft couch covered with wolf fur. On the table was a newly opened pot of green wine, and he was looking up toward the river.

Evening mountains on both banks, a river of spring water, and a young man’s worries.

“Yingying—” The pearl curtain was lifted aside as a beauty and fragrant breeze swept in together.

Gu Baiying shuddered with disgust: “Don’t call me that.”

“I’m good friends with your mother. By rights, you should call me Aunt. What’s wrong with me calling you that?” Jin Feicui sat down across from him nonchalantly: “Besides, when there’s no one else around, don’t I always call you that?”

The young man expressed his resistance through silence.

Jin Feicui’s gaze lingered on the open pot of green wine on the table, then looked curiously at the person across from her: “Since when did you learn to drown your sorrows in alcohol? It’s rare to see you troubled. Tell sister about it – let sister be entertained.”

Gu Baiying: “I’m not troubled.”

“Come on, even the twelve-year-old new assistant in our building can tell you’re in a bad mood. What do you have to be embarrassed about with me? Tell me quickly.”

“I won’t.”

Jin Feicui looked at him for a while, then shook her head: “Stubborn.” She changed the subject: “By the way, I heard that your trip to Li’er Kingdom’s secret realm was extremely dangerous this time, and it was all thanks to that new disciple Xuan Lingzi took in. You know, the one who came to Huajin Tower to pick out spirit artifacts last time. At that time, I thought it was quite unusual for a female cultivator to use a staff. The girl was very special, and now it seems my judgment was correct.”

“With such spiritual roots and fortune, if your Taiyan Sect cultivates her well, her future achievements might not be insignificant. In your sect, Meng Ying is closely watched by Yueqin and rarely comes down the mountain. I think little Miss Yang has a much livelier temperament. If we build a good relationship with her in the future, she’d make a perfect living advertisement for my establishment. Should I give her another gift? What does she usually like or dislike?”

Hearing this, Gu Baiying irritably grabbed the wine cup on the table and took a drink: “How would I know what she likes?”

“True.” Jin Feicui nodded, then glared at him reproachfully: “Still, you’ve been together for so many days. Even if you were strangers before, you should be familiar now. How can you not know to care about others?”

Gu Baiying snorted lightly: “Where does she need my care?”

“How does she not need your care?” Jin Feicui waved her fan: “I heard that she was publicly called off from her engagement by her fiancé in Pingyang Town before. For a girl, how hurtful to her self-esteem. Now, your Taiyan Sect disciples who come down the mountain also say she’s pining for another disciple of Xuan Lingzi’s surnamed Mu. As her martial uncle, you should help bring them together more often…”

“Bang” – the wine cup was heavily slammed down on the table.

Jin Feicui was startled.

“Bring them together, bring them together, bring them together! Why does everyone want me to play matchmaker wherever I go?” The young man could no longer bear it. “Am I her steward or her matchmaker? What does this have to do with me?”

All around was silence.

The music had stopped at some point.

Moonlight hung in the sky, reflecting the river water bright and clear.

Jin Feicui stared at him quietly. After a while, she suddenly smiled brilliantly.

“I see.”